Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes: a display panel including a pixel; and an input sensor on the display panel. The input sensor includes: sensing electrodes; and sensing lines including: a multi-layered area including a first trace line and a second trace line, the first and second trace lines being connected to the sensing electrodes and located at different layers from each other; a single-layer area including a first area and a second area; a first line including the first trace line in the first area, and the second trace line connected to the first trace line in the second area; and a second line adjacent to the first line, the second line including the second trace line in the first area, and the first trace line connected to the second trace line in the second area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2021-0108190, filed on Aug. 17, 2021, the entirecontent of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relate to adisplay device. More particularly, aspects of one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure relate to a display device with improved sensingreliability.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices for providing images to a user may include a displaydevice to display the images. Such electronic devices may include, forexample, smartphones, digital cameras, notebook computers, navigationunits, televisions, and the like. The display device includes a displaypanel for generating and displaying the images, and an input device, forexample, such as a keyboard, a mouse, an input sensor, and/or the like.

The input sensor is disposed on the display panel, and generates aninput signal when the user touches a touch panel. The input signalgenerated by the touch panel is applied to the display panel, and thedisplay panel provides images corresponding to the input signal to theuser, in response to the input signal applied thereto from the touchpanel.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is forenhancement of understanding of the background of the presentdisclosure, and therefore, it may contain information that does notconstitute prior art.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to adisplay device with a reduced bezel width.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to adisplay device with improved sensing reliability.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, adisplay device includes: a display panel including a pixel; and an inputsensor on the display panel. The input sensor includes: sensingelectrodes; and sensing lines including: a multi-layered area includinga first trace line and a second trace line, the first and second tracelines being connected to the sensing electrodes and located at differentlayers from each other; a single-layer area including a first area and asecond area; a first line including the first trace line in the firstarea, and the second trace line connected to the first trace line in thesecond area; and a second line adjacent to the first line, the secondline including the second trace line in the first area, and the firsttrace line connected to the second trace line in the second area.

In an embodiment, a length of the first line in the first area may beequal to a length of the first line in the second area, and a length ofthe second line in the first area may be equal to a length of the secondline in the second area.

In an embodiment, the display panel may include: a first non-bendingarea including the pixel; a bending area; and a second non-bending area.The first non-bending area, the bending area, and the second non-bendingarea may be arranged along a first direction, and the bending area maybe configured to be bent relative to an imaginary axis extending in asecond direction crossing the first direction.

In an embodiment, the single-layer area may overlap with the firstnon-bending area.

In an embodiment, the sensing lines may further include a connectionarea connecting the first area and the second area to each other, andthe first trace line may overlap with the second trace line in theconnection area.

In an embodiment, portions of the first trace line and the second traceline that overlap with each other in the connection area may each have aparallelogram shape.

In an embodiment, at the connection area, the first trace line of thefirst line in the first area may be connected to the second trace lineof the first line in the second area.

In an embodiment, at the connection area, the second trace line of thesecond line in the first area may be connected to the first trace lineof the second line in the second area.

In an embodiment, the connection area may extend in an oblique directionwith respect to a direction in which the first and second lines extendin the second area.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second trace lines may include:a first extension portion extending in one direction, and connected tothe multi-layered area in the first area; a second extension portionextending in the one direction, and connected to the connection area inthe first area; and an inclination portion extending in an obliquedirection with respect to the one direction, and located between thefirst extension portion and the second extension portion. The firstextension portion of the second line may be aligned with the second areaof the first line in the one direction.

In an embodiment, sensing lines overlapping with the first area fromamong the sensing lines may overlap with the first non-bending area ofthe display panel, and sensing lines overlapping with the second areafrom among the sensing lines may be spaced from the first area with thebending area interposed therebetween, and may overlap with the secondnon-bending area.

In an embodiment, the display panel may include: a bridge line locatedin the bending area; a first input contact hole exposing one end of thebridge line adjacent to the first non-bending area; and a second inputcontact hole exposing another end of the bridge line adjacent to thesecond non-bending area. The sensing lines overlapping with the firstarea may be connected to the one end of the bridge line via the firstinput contact hole, and the sensing lines overlapping with the secondarea may be connected to the other end of the bridge line via the secondinput contact hole.

In an embodiment, the first area may overlap with the first non-bendingarea, and at least a portion of the first area may not overlap with withthe bending area in the first direction.

In an embodiment, the multi-layered area may include a plurality ofmulti-layered areas, and the single-layer area may be located betweenthe plurality of multi-layered areas.

In an embodiment, the input sensor may include: a first sensinginsulating layer on the display panel; a first sensing conductive layeron the first sensing insulating layer, and including the first traceline; a second sensing insulating layer on the first sensing insulatinglayer to cover the first sensing conductive layer; and a second sensingconductive layer on the second sensing insulating layer, and includingthe second trace line.

In an embodiment, each of the first trace line and the second trace linemay have a trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view.

In an embodiment, the first trace line of the first line may not overlapwith the second trace line of the second line in the first area, and thesecond trace line of the first line may not overlap with the first traceline of the second line in the second area.

In an embodiment, a distance between the first trace line of the firstline and the second trace line of the second line in the single-layerarea may be less than or equal to about 2 micrometers in across-sectional view.

In an embodiment, an end of the first trace line of the first line maybe aligned with an end of the second trace line of the second line inthe single-layer area in a plan view.

In an embodiment, the first trace line may have a width greater than awidth of the second trace line in a cross-sectional view, and the firsttrace line may have a thickness smaller than a thickness of the secondtrace line in the cross-sectional view.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, portionsof the sensing lines arranged in the input sensor may include thesingle-layer area in which one of the two conductive layers disposed ondifferent layers from each other is disposed, and thus, the width of thesensing layers in an arrangement direction may decrease. Thus, a bezelwidth of the display device may be reduced.

In addition, according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the single-layer area may include two areas, each of whichincludes different conductive layers from each other. Thus, a differencein a mutual capacitance value between adjacent sensing lines, which maybe caused by a difference in an etching error between the two conductivelayers, may be reduced. Accordingly, the sensing reliability of thedisplay device may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure willbe more clearly understood from the following detailed description ofthe illustrative, non-limiting embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a display device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view showing a display deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a display module according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing a display panel according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a display panel according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a display module according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an input sensor according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing portions of sensing lines of an inputsensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of FIG.6A;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-Ill′ of FIG.6A;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV′ of FIG.6A;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing portions of sensing linesaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a first area ofsensing lines according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a second area ofsensing lines according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an input sensor according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer tolike elements throughout. The present disclosure, however, may beembodied in various different forms, and should not be construed asbeing limited to only the illustrated embodiments herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the aspects and features ofthe present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,processes, elements, and techniques that are not necessary to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art for a complete understanding of theaspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described.Unless otherwise noted, like reference numerals denote like elementsthroughout the attached drawings and the written description, and thus,redundant description thereof may not be repeated.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be different from the described order. For example,two consecutively described processes may be performed at the same orsubstantially at the same time, or may be performed in an order oppositeto the described order.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions maybe exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. Spatially relative terms,such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and thelike, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one elementor feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) asillustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwiseoriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpretedaccordingly.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or sectiondescribed below could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” or “connected to (e.g., coupled to orattached to)” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connectedto, or connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the other elementor layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present.Similarly, when a layer, an area, or an element is referred to as being“electrically connected” to another layer, area, or element, it may bedirectly electrically connected to the other layer, area, or element,and/or may be indirectly electrically connected with one or moreintervening layers, areas, or elements therebetween. In addition, itwill also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element orlayer between the two elements or layers, or one or more interveningelements or layers may also be present.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intendedto include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “have,” and“having,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of thestated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Forexample, the expression “A and/or B” denotes A, B, or A and B.Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list. For example, the expression “at leastone of a, b, or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, botha and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms areused as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and areintended to account for the inherent variations in measured orcalculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of thepresent disclosure refers to “one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.” As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may beconsidered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and“utilized,” respectively. Also, the term “exemplary” is intended torefer to an example or illustration.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a display device DD according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is an explodedperspective view showing the display device DD according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional viewshowing a display module (e.g., a display or a display layer) DMaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the display device DD may be a device that isactivated in response to an electrical signal. The display device DD mayinclude various suitable embodiments. For example, the display device DDmay be applied to an electronic device, such as a smart watch, a tabletcomputer, a notebook computer, a computer, a smart television set,and/or the like. Hereinafter, a smartphone will be described in moredetail as a representative example of the display device DD, but thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto.

The display device DD may display an image IM through a display surfaceFS toward a third direction DR3. The display surface FS may be parallelto or substantially parallel to each of a first direction DR1 and asecond direction DR2. The image IM may include a video and/or a stillimage. FIG. 1A shows a clock widget and various application icons as arepresentative example of the image IM, but the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The display surface FS through which the image IMis displayed may correspond to a front surface of the display device DD,and a front surface of a window panel WP.

In the present embodiment, a front (or an upper) surface and a rear (ora lower) surface of each member of the display device DD may be definedwith respect to a direction in which the image IM is displayed. Forexample, the front and rear surfaces may be opposite to each other inthe third direction DR3, and a normal line direction of each of thefront and rear surfaces may be parallel to or substantially parallel tothe third direction DR3. However, the directions indicated by the first,second, and third directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be relative to eachother, and thus, the directions indicated by the first, second, andthird directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 may be variously modified to othersuitable directions. As used herein, the expression “when viewed in aplane” may mean a state of being viewed in the third direction DR3, orin other words, “when viewed in a plan view.”

Referring to FIG. 1B, the display device DD may include the window panelWP, the display module DM, a driving circuit DC, and a housing HU. Thewindow panel WP and the housing HU may be connected to (e.g., coupled toor attached to) each other to provide an exterior of the display deviceDD.

The window panel WP may include an optically transparent insulatingmaterial. For example, the window panel WP may include a glass orplastic material. The window panel WP may have a single-layer ormulti-layered structure. As an example, the window panel WP may includea plurality of plastic films that are connected to (e.g., coupled to orattached to) each other by an adhesive, or a glass substrate and aplastic film connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the glasssubstrate by an adhesive.

The front surface of the window panel WP may define the display surfaceFS of the display device DD as described above. The display surface FSmay include a transmissive area TA and a bezel area BZA. Thetransmissive area TA may be an optically transparent area. For example,the transmissive area TA may be an area having a visible lighttransmittance of about 90% or more.

The bezel area BZA may be an area having a relatively lowertransmittance than that of the transmissive area TA. The bezel area BZAmay define a shape of the transmissive area TA. The bezel area BZA maybe disposed adjacent to the transmissive area TA, and may surround(e.g., around a periphery of) the transmissive area TA.

The bezel area BZA may have a suitable color (e.g., a predeterminedcolor). The bezel area BZA may cover a peripheral area NAA of thedisplay module DM to prevent or substantially prevent the peripheralarea NAA from being viewed from the outside. However, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the bezel area BZA may be omittedfrom the window panel WP as needed or desired according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

The display module DM may display the image IM, and may sense anexternal input. The display module DM may include a front surface IS inwhich an active area AA and the peripheral area NAA are defined. Theactive area AA may be an area that is activated in response to anelectrical signal.

In the present embodiment, the active area AA may be an area throughwhich the image IM is displayed, and the external input is sensed. Thetransmissive area TA may overlap with at least a portion of the activearea AA. For example, the transmissive area TA may overlap with anentire surface of the active area AA, or at least a portion of theactive area AA.

Accordingly, the user may view the image IM, and/or may provide theexternal input through the transmissive area TA. However, this isprovided as one example, and the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. According to an embodiment, the active area AA of the displaymodule DM may be divided into an area through which the image IM isdisplayed, and an area in which the external input is sensed, but thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto or thereby.

The peripheral area NAA may be covered by the bezel area BZA. Theperipheral area NAA may be disposed to be adjacent to the active areaAA. The peripheral area NAA may surround (e.g., around a periphery of)the active area AA. A driving circuit or a driving line to drive theactive area AA may be disposed at (e.g., in or on) the peripheral areaNAA.

The driving circuit DC may include a flexible circuit board CF and amain circuit board MB. The flexible circuit board CF may be electricallyconnected to the display module DM. The flexible circuit board CF mayconnect the display module DM and the main circuit board MB to eachother, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. According toan embodiment, the flexible circuit board CF may not be connected to themain circuit board MB, and the flexible circuit board CF may be a rigidsubstrate.

The flexible circuit board CF may be connected to pads of the displaymodule DM, which are disposed at (e.g., in or on) the peripheral areaNAA. The flexible circuit board CF may provide electrical signals to thedisplay module DM to drive the display module DM. The electrical signalsmay be generated by the flexible circuit board CF or the main circuitboard MB.

The main circuit board MB may include various suitable driving circuitsto drive the display module DM, and/or a connector to supply power. Themain circuit board MB may be connected to the display module DM via theflexible circuit board CF.

The housing HU may be connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) thewindow panel WP. The housing HU and the window panel WP connected to(e.g., coupled to or attached to) the housing HU may provide a suitableinner space (e.g., a predetermined inner space). The display module DMmay be accommodated in the inner space.

The housing HU may include a material with a relatively high rigidity.For example, the housing HU may include a glass, plastic, or metalmaterial, or a plurality of frames and/or plates of combinationsthereof. The housing HU may stably protect the components of the displaydevice DD accommodated in the inner space from external impacts.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display module DM may include a display panelDP and an input sensor ISL. The display panel DP may include varioussuitable elements and configurations to generate the image IM. The imageIM (e.g., refer to FIGS. 1A and 1B) generated by the display panel DPmay be viewed from the outside by the user through the transmissive areaTA.

The display panel 100 may be a light emitting kind of display panel, butthe present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the displaypanel 100 may be an organic light emitting display panel, or aninorganic light emitting display panel. A light emitting layer of theorganic light emitting display panel may include an organic lightemitting material. A light emitting layer of the inorganic lightemitting display panel may include a quantum dot, a quantum rod, or amicro-LED. For convenience of illustration and description, the organiclight emitting display panel will be described in more detail as anexample of the display panel DP, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto.

The input sensor ISL may sense the external input applied thereto fromthe outside. The external input may include a variety of suitable inputsprovided from the outside of the display device DD (e.g., refer to FIG.1A). As an example, the external inputs may include a proximity input(e.g., such as hovering) applied when an object (e.g., a user's finger,a pen, and/or the like) approaches close to or adjacent to the displaydevice DD at a suitable distance (e.g., a predetermined distance), aswell as a touch input by the object (e.g., a part of the user's body(e.g., the user's finger or hand), the pen, and/or the like). Inaddition, the external inputs may be provided in the form of a force, apressure, light, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is notparticularly limited thereto.

The display panel DP may include a base layer BL, a circuit elementlayer DP-CL, a display element layer DP-OLED, and an upper encapsulationlayer TFL. The circuit element layer DP-CL, the display element layerDP-OLED, and the upper encapsulation layer TFL may be disposed above thebase layer BL.

The base layer BL may serve as a base layer on which the circuit elementlayer DP-CL, the display element layer DP-OLED, and the upperencapsulation layer TFL are stacked. The base layer BL may be flexibleor rigid, and may have a single-layer or multi-layered structure, butthe present disclosure is not particularly limited thereto.

The circuit element layer DP-CL may be disposed on the base layer BL.The circuit element layer DP-CL may include a plurality of insulatinglayers, a plurality of conductive layers, and a semiconductor layer. Theconductive layers of the circuit element layer DP-CL may form signallines, or a control circuit of a pixel PX (e.g., refer to FIG. 4 ).

The display element layer DP-OLED may be disposed on the circuit elementlayer DP-CL. The display element layer DP-OLED may include organic lightemitting elements, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.According to an embodiment, the display element layer DP-OLED mayinclude inorganic light emitting elements, organic-inorganic lightemitting elements, or a liquid crystal layer.

The upper encapsulation layer TFL may include an organic layer, and aplurality of inorganic layers encapsulating the organic layer. The upperencapsulation layer TFL may encapsulate the display element layerDP-OLED, and thus, may prevent or substantially prevent moisture and/oroxygen from entering (e.g., from penetrating) the display element layerDP-OLED.

The input sensor ISL may be disposed on the upper encapsulation layerTFL. The input sensor ISL may be formed on the upper encapsulation layerTFL through successive processes. In this case, the input sensor ISL maybe disposed directly on the display panel DP. As used in the presentdisclosure, the expression “the input sensor ISL is disposed directly onthe display panel DP” means that no intervening elements are presentbetween the input sensor ISL and the display panel DP. In other words,an additional adhesive member may not be disposed between the inputsensor ISL and the display panel DP.

In some embodiments, the display module DM may further include aprotective member disposed on a lower surface of the display panel DP,and an anti-reflective member disposed on an upper surface of the inputsensor ISL.

FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the display panel DP according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional viewshowing the display panel DP according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the display panel DP may include an active area AAand a peripheral area NAA. The active area AA of the display panel DPmay be the area through which the image is displayed, and the peripheralarea NAA of the display panel DP may be the area at (e.g., in or on)which the driving circuit or the driving line is disposed. Lightemitting elements of the pixels PX may be disposed at (e.g., in or on)the active area AA. The active area AA may overlap with at least aportion of the transmissive area TA, and the peripheral area NAA may becovered by the bezel area BZA. The active area AA and the peripheralarea NAA of the display panel DP may correspond to the active area AAand the peripheral area NAA, respectively, of the display module DMshown in FIG. 1B.

According to an embodiment, the display panel DP may include a pluralityof pixels PX, a plurality of signal lines SGL, a scan driving circuitGDC, a plurality of display contact holes CNT-D1 and CNT-D2, a pluralityof input contact holes CNT-I1 and CNT-I2, a plurality of bridge linesTL-B, and a display pad part DP-PD including a plurality of displaypads.

Each of the pixels PX may include a corresponding light emittingelement, and a plurality of transistors connected to the correspondinglight emitting element. The pixels PX may emit light in response to anelectrical signal applied thereto.

The signal lines SGL may include scan lines GL, data lines DL, a powerline PL, and a control signal line CSL. Each of the scan lines GL may beconnected to corresponding pixels from among the pixels PX. Each of thedata lines DL may be connected to corresponding pixels from among thepixels PX. The power line PL may be connected to the pixels PX, and mayprovide a power source voltage to the pixels PX. The control signal lineCSL may apply control signals to the scan driving circuit GDC.

The scan driving circuit GDC may be disposed at (e.g., in or on) theperipheral area NAA. The scan driving circuit GDC may generate scansignals, and may sequentially output the scan signals to the scan linesGL. The scan driving circuit GDC may further output another controlsignal to the driving circuit of the pixels PX.

The scan driving circuit GDC may include a plurality of thin filmtransistors formed through the same or substantially the same process asthat of the driving circuit of the pixels PX. For example, the thin filmtransistors of the scan driving circuit GDC may be formed through a lowtemperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) process, or a low temperaturepolycrystalline oxide (LTPO) process.

A portion of the display panel DP may be bent. The display panel DP mayinclude a first non-bending area NBA1, a second non-bending area NBA2spaced apart from the first non-bending area NBA1 in the first directionDR1, and a bending area BA disposed between the first non-bending areaNBA1 and the second non-bending area NBA2. The first non-bending areaNBA1 may include the active area AA, and a portion of the peripheralarea NAA. The peripheral area NAA may include the bending area BA andthe second non-bending area NBA2.

The bending area BA may be bent with respect to an imaginary axisextending in the second direction DR2. When the bending area BA is bent,the second non-bending area NBA2 may face the first non-bending areaNBA1. According to an embodiment, a width in the second direction DR2 ofthe display panel DP may be smaller in the bending area BA than in thefirst non-bending area NBA1.

The display pad part DP-PD may be disposed to be adjacent to an edge ofthe second non-bending area NBA2. The signal lines SGL may extend to thesecond non-bending area NBA2 from the first non-bending area NBA1 viathe bending area BA, and may be connected to the display pad part DP-PD.The display pad part DP-PD may electrically connect the display panel DPand the flexible circuit board CF to each other.

The display contact holes CNT-D1 and CNT-D2 may include first displaycontact holes CNT-D1 defined at (e.g., in or on) the first non-bendingarea NBA1 adjacent to the bending area BA, and second display contactholes CNT-D2 defined at (e.g., in or on) the second non-bending areaNBA2 adjacent to the bending area BA.

According to an embodiment, the signal lines SGL may include first,second, and third portions P10, P20, and P30 that are disposed at (e.g.,in or on) different layers from each other. The first and secondportions P10 and P20 may be connected to each other via the firstdisplay contact holes CNT-D1, and the second and third portions P20 andP30 may be connected to each other via the second display contact holesCNT-D2.

The input contact holes CNT-I1 and CNT-I2 may include first inputcontact holes CNT-I1 defined at (e.g., in or on) the first non-bendingarea NBA1 adjacent to the bending area BA, and second input contactholes CNT-I2 defined at (e.g., in or on) the second non-bending areaNBA2 adjacent to the bending area BA.

The bridge lines TL-B may be disposed at (e.g., in or on) the bendingarea BA. One end of each of the bridge lines TL-B may be connected to acorresponding first input contact hole CNT-I1, and the other end of eachof the bridge lines TL-B may be connected to a corresponding secondinput contact hole CNT-I2. The first and second input contact holesCNT-I1 and CNT-I2 and the bridge lines TL-B may connect sensing linesTL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 of the input sensor ISL to an input pad part ISL-PDincluding a plurality of input pads (e.g., see FIG. 5 ).

Referring to FIG. 3B, the circuit element layer DP-CL, the displayelement layer DP-OLED, and the upper encapsulation layer TFL may besequentially stacked on the base layer BL. The circuit element layerDP-CL, the display element layer DP-OLED, and the upper encapsulationlayer TFL will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG.4 .

The circuit element layer DP-CL may include at least one insulatinglayer, and a circuit element. The circuit element may include a signalline and a pixel driving circuit. The circuit element layer DP-CL may beformed by a coating or depositing process to form an insulating layer, asemiconductor layer, and a conductive layer, and a photolithographyprocess to pattern the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, andthe conductive layer.

The buffer layer BFL may include a plurality of inorganic layers stackedone on another. A semiconductor pattern may be disposed on the bufferlayer BFL. The buffer layer BFL may increase a coupling force betweenthe base layer BL and the semiconductor pattern.

The semiconductor pattern may include polysilicon, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto or thereby. The semiconductor patternmay include an amorphous silicon or a metal oxide. FIG. 3B shows aportion of the semiconductor pattern, and the semiconductor pattern maybe further disposed at (e.g., in or on) another area of the pixel PXwhen viewed in a plane (e.g., in a plan view). The semiconductor patternmay be arranged according to a suitable rule (e.g., a specific rule)over the pixels PX.

The semiconductor pattern may have various different electricalproperties depending on whether it is doped or not, or whether it isdoped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant. The semiconductorpattern may include a first region A1 with a low doping concentrationand low conductivity, and second regions S1 and D1 with a relativelyhigh doping concentration and high conductivity. One second region S1may be disposed at one side of the first region A1, and the other secondregion S2 may be disposed at the other side of the first region A1. Thesecond regions S1 and D1 may be doped with the N-type dopant or theP-type dopant. A P-type transistor may include a doped region that isdoped with the P-type dopant. The first region A1 may be a non-dopedregion, or may be a region that is doped at a concentration lower thanthose of the second regions S1 and D1.

The second regions S1 and D1 may serve or substantially serve as anelectrode or a signal line. For example, the one second area S1 maycorrespond to a source of a transistor, and the other second area D1 maycorrespond to a drain of the transistor. FIG. 3B shows a portion of aconnection signal line SCL that is formed of the semiconductor pattern.The connection signal line SCL may be connected to the drain of thetransistor TR when viewed in a plane (e.g., in a plan view).

A first insulating layer 10 may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. Thefirst insulating layer 10 may commonly overlap with the pixels PX (e.g.,refer to FIG. 3A), and may cover the semiconductor pattern. The firstinsulating layer 10 may be an inorganic layer and/or an organic layer,and may have a single-layer or multi-layered structure. The firstinsulating layer 10 may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titaniumoxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, or hafniumoxide. Not only the first insulating layer 10, but also an insulatinglayer of the circuit element layer DP-CL described in more detail belowmay be an inorganic layer and/or an organic layer, and may have asingle-layer or multi-layered structure.

A gate G1 may be disposed on the first insulating layer 10. The gate G1may be a portion of a metal pattern. The gate G1 may overlap with thefirst area A1. The gate G1 may be used as a mask in a process of dopingthe semiconductor pattern.

A second insulating layer 20 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 10, and may cover the gate G1. The second insulating layer 20 maycommonly overlap with the pixels PX (e.g., refer to FIG. 3A). An upperelectrode UE may be disposed on the second insulating layer 20. Theupper electrode UE may overlap with the gate G1. The upper electrode UEmay include a plurality of metal layers. However, the present disclosureis not limited thereto, and according to an embodiment, the upperelectrode UE may be omitted.

A third insulating layer 30 may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 20, and may cover the upper electrode UE. A first connectionelectrode CNE1 may be disposed on the third insulating layer 30. Thefirst connection electrode CNE1 may be connected to the connectionsignal line SCL via a contact hole CNT-1 defined (e.g., penetrating)through the first, second, and third insulating layers 10, 20, and 30.

A fourth insulating layer 40 may be disposed on the third insulatinglayer 30. A fifth insulating layer 50 may be disposed on the fourthinsulating layer 40. The fifth insulating layer 50 may be an organiclayer. A second connection electrode CNE2 may be disposed on the fifthinsulating layer 50. The second connection electrode CNE2 may beconnected to the first connection electrode CNE1 via a contact holeCNT-2 defined (e.g., penetrating) through the fourth insulating layer 40and the fifth insulating layer 50. A sixth insulating layer 60 may bedisposed on the fifth insulating layer 50, and may cover the secondconnection electrode CNE2. The sixth insulating layer 60 may be anorganic layer.

According to an embodiment, the first portion P10 and the third portionP30 of the signal lines SGL described above with reference to FIG. 3Amay be disposed at (e.g., in or on) the same layer as that of the gateG1, and the second portion P20 may be disposed at (e.g., in or on) thesame layer as that of the second connection electrode CNE2. The bridgelines TL-B described above with reference to FIG. 3A may be disposed at(e.g., in or on) the same layer as that of the second connectionelectrode CNE2.

In addition, the display contact holes CNT-D1 and CNT-D2 and the inputcontact holes CNT-I1 and CNT-I2, which are described above withreference to FIG. 3A, may each be defined (e.g., may each penetrate)through at least one insulating layer disposed between corresponding twoportions from among the first, second, and third portions P10, P20, andP30 to connect the corresponding two portions to each other.Accordingly, the display contact holes CNT-D1 and CNT-D2 (e.g., refer toFIG. 3A) may be formed in the same manner as that of any one of thecontact holes CNT-1 and CNT-2 shown in FIG. 3B.

An organic light emitting diode OLED may be disposed on the sixthinsulating layer 60. In some embodiments, the organic light emittingdiode OLED may include a first electrode AE, a hole control layer HCL, alight emitting layer EML, an electron control layer ECL, and a secondelectrode CE. The first electrode AE may be disposed on the sixthinsulating layer 60. The first electrode AE may be connected to thesecond connection electrode CNE2 via a contact hole CNT-3 defined (e.g.,penetrating) through the sixth insulating layer 60. A pixel definitionlayer PDL may be disposed on the sixth insulating layer 60, and may beprovided with an opening OP defined therethrough. At least a portion ofthe first electrode AE may be exposed through the opening OP of thepixel definition layer PDL. The pixel definition layer PDL may be anorganic layer.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the active area AA may include a light emittingarea PXA, and a non-light-emitting area NPXA adjacent to the lightemitting area PXA. The non-light-emitting area NPXA may surround (e.g.,around a periphery of) the light emitting area PXA. In the presentembodiment, the light emitting area PXA may be defined to correspond tothe portion of the first electrode AE that is exposed through theopening OP.

The hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed at (e.g., in or on)the light emitting area PXA and the non-light-emitting area NPXA. Thehole control layer HCL may include a hole transport layer, and mayfurther include a hole injection layer. The light emitting layer EML maybe disposed on the hole control layer HCL. The light emitting layer EMLmay be disposed at (e.g., in or on) an area corresponding to the openingOP. In other words, the light emitting layer EML may be disposedseparately for each of the pixels PX (e.g., refer to FIG. 3A) afterbeing divided into a plurality of portions.

The electron control layer ECL may be disposed on the light emittinglayer EML. The electron control layer ECL may include an electrontransport layer, and may further include an electron injection layer.The hole control layer HCL and the electron control layer ECL may becommonly disposed over the pixels using an open mask.

The second electrode CE may be disposed on the electron control layerECL. The second electrode CE may have an integral shape, and may becommonly disposed over the pixels PX (e.g., refer to FIG. 3A).

The upper encapsulation layer TFL may be disposed on the display elementlayer DP-OLED, and may include a plurality of thin layers. According toan embodiment, the upper encapsulation layer TFL may include a cappinglayer CPL, and a thin film encapsulation layer TFE disposed on thecapping layer CPL. The capping layer CPL may be disposed on the secondelectrode CE, and may be in contact with the second electrode CE. Thecapping layer CPL may include an organic material.

The thin film encapsulation layer TFE may include a first inorganiclayer IOL1, an organic layer OL disposed on the first inorganic layerIOL1, and a second inorganic layer IOL2 disposed on the organic layerOL. The first inorganic layer IOL1 and the second inorganic layer IOL2may protect the display element layer DP-OLED from moisture and oxygen,and the organic layer OL may protect the display element layer DP-OLEDfrom a foreign substance, for example, such as dust particles.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the display module DM accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a plan viewshowing the input sensor ISL according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the input sensor ISL may be disposed on the upperencapsulation layer TFL. The input sensor ISL may include a firstsensing insulating layer TIL1, a first sensing conductive layer TML1, asecond sensing insulating layer TIL2, a second sensing conductive layerTML2, and a third sensing insulating layer TIL3.

The first sensing insulating layer TIL1 may be disposed directly on theupper encapsulation layer TFL. However, the present disclosure is notlimited thereto, and according to an embodiment, the first sensinginsulating layer TIL1 may be omitted as needed or desired.

Each of the first sensing conductive layer TML1 and the second sensingconductive layer TML2 may have a single-layer structure or amulti-layered structure. The conductive layer having the multi-layeredstructure may include two or more layers of a transparent conductivelayer and a metal layer. The conductive layer having the multi-layeredstructure may include metal layers containing different metals from eachother.

The first and second sensing conductive layers TML1 and TML2 may includeat least one of indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zincoxide (ZnO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), PEDOT, a metal nanowire, orgraphene as the transparent conductive layer. The first and secondsensing conductive layers TML1 and TML2 may include molybdenum, silver,titanium, copper, aluminum, and/or alloys thereof as the metal layer.

Each of the first and second sensing conductive layers TML1 and TML2 mayhave a three-layered structure of titanium/aluminum/titanium. Metalswith a relatively high durability and a low reflectance may be appliedas an outer layer of the conductive layer, and metals with a highelectrical conductivity may be applied as an inner layer of theconductive layer.

Each of the first, second, and third sensing insulating layers TIL1,TIL2, and TIL3 may include an inorganic layer or an organic layer.According to an embodiment, each of the first and second sensinginsulating layers TIL1 and TIL2 may include the inorganic layer, and thethird sensing insulating layer TIL3 may include the organic layer. Theinorganic layer may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titaniumoxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, or hafniumoxide. The organic layer may include at least one of an acrylic-basedresin, a methacrylic-based resin, a polyisoprene-based resin, avinyl-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, a urethane-based resin, acellulose-based resin, a siloxane-based resin, a polyimide-based resin,a polyimide-based resin, or a perylene-based resin.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the input sensor ISL may include an active areaAA-I, and a peripheral area NAA-I adjacent to the active area AA-I. Theactive area AA-I and the peripheral area NAA-I of the input sensor ISLmay correspond to the active area AA and the peripheral area NAA (e.g.,refer to FIG. 3A), respectively, of the display panel DP.

According to an embodiment, the input sensor ISL may include a firstnon-bending area NBA1, a bending area BA, and a second non-bending areaNBA2. The first non-bending area NBA1, the bending area BA, and thesecond non-bending area NBA2 of the input sensor ISL may correspond tothe first non-bending area NBA1, the bending area BA, and the secondnon-bending area NBA2 (e.g., refer to FIG. 3A), respectively, of thedisplay panel DP.

According to an embodiment, the input sensor ISL may include a pluralityof sensing electrodes TE1 and TE2, a plurality of sensing lines TL-1,TL-2, and TL-3 connected to the sensing electrodes TE1 and TE2, aplurality of input contact holes CNT-I1 and CNT-I2, and an input padpart ISL-PD.

The sensing electrodes TE1 and TE2 may include a first sensing electrodeTE1 and a second sensing electrode TE2.

The first sensing electrode TE1 may extend in the first direction DR1.and may be provided in a plurality of first sensing electrodes TE1arranged along the second direction DR2. The first sensing electrode TE1may include first sensing patterns SP1 and first conductive patternsBP1. The first sensing patterns SP1 may be arranged along the firstdirection DR1. At least one first conductive pattern BP1 may beconnected to two first sensing patterns SP1 that are adjacent to eachother.

The second sensing electrode TE2 may extend in the second direction DR2,and may be provided in a plurality of second sensing electrodes TE2arranged along the first direction DR1. The second sensing electrode TE2may include second sensing patterns SP2 and second conductive patternsBP2. The second sensing patterns SP2 may be arranged along the seconddirection DR2. At least one second conductive pattern BP2 may bedisposed between two second sensing patterns SP2 that are adjacent toeach other. According to an embodiment, the second sensing patterns SP2and the second conductive patterns BP2 may be patterned through the sameprocess, and may be provided integrally with each other.

According to an embodiment, the first conductive pattern BP1 may beincluded in the first sensing conductive layer TML1 described above withreference to FIG. 4 , and the first sensing patterns SP1, the secondsensing patterns SP2, and the second conductive pattern BP2 may beincluded in the second sensing conductive layer TML2 described abovewith reference to FIG. 4 .

The sensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 may include first sensing linesTL-1, second sensing lines TL-2, and third sensing lines TL-3.

According to an embodiment, the first sensing lines TL-1 may beconnected to one ends (e.g., first ends) of the second sensingelectrodes TE2, respectively. The second sensing lines TL-2 may beconnected to the other ends (e.g., second ends or opposite ends) of thesecond sensing electrodes TE2, respectively. The third sensing linesTL-3 may be respectively connected to one ends of the first sensingelectrodes TE1 that are adjacent to the bending area BA.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto or thereby.According to an embodiment, instead of the first and second sensinglines TL-1 and TL-2 that are connected to opposite ends of the secondsensing electrodes TE2, the sensing lines may be connected to only oneof the opposite ends of each of the second sensing electrodes TE2, andin this case, one of the first and second input contact holes CNT-I1 andCNT-I2 may be omitted.

Each of the first, second, and third sensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3may be disposed to overlap with the first non-bending area NBA1 and thesecond non-bending area NBA2, but may not overlap with the bending areaBA. From among the first, second, and third sensing lines TL-1, TL-2,and TL-3, portions that are disposed to overlap with the firstnon-bending area NBA1 may be connected to the bridge lines TL-Bdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3A via the first input contactholes CNT-I1, and portions that are disposed to overlap with the secondnon-bending area NBA2 may be connected to the bridge lines TL-B via thesecond input contact holes CNT-I2. The input contact holes CNT-I1 andCNT-I2 may be defined (e.g., may penetrate) through the first sensinginsulating layer TIL1 and one or more of the insulating layers of thedisplay panel DP described above with reference to FIG. 3B.

According to an embodiment, the first sensing electrodes TE1 may be atransmission electrode, and the second sensing electrodes TE2 may be areception electrode. Accordingly, the third sensing lines TL-3 may applya sensing signal to the first sensing electrodes TE1, and each of thefirst and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 may receive the sensingsignal from the second sensing electrodes TE2, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto or thereby. According to anembodiment, the first sensing electrodes TE1 may be the receptionelectrode, and the second sensing electrodes TE2 may be the transmissionelectrode.

The input pad part ISL-PD may be disposed to be adjacent to an edge ofthe second non-bending area NBA2. The first, second, and third sensinglines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 may extend from the second input contactholes CNT-I2, and may be connected to the input pad part ISL-PD. Theinput pad part ISL-PD may electrically connect the input sensor ISL andthe flexible circuit board CF to each other.

However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto or thereby.According to an embodiment, the input pad part ISL-PD may be omittedfrom the input sensor ISL. In this case, the first, second, and thirdsensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 may be connected to lines and padsarranged at (e.g., in or on) the display panel DP via contact holesdefined through the first and second sensing insulating layers TIL1 andTIL2. Accordingly, the sensing electrodes TE1 and TE2 and the pixel PX(e.g., refer to FIG. 3A) may be connected to the main circuit board MBvia one flexible circuit board CF.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, each ofthe first sensing lines TL-1 and the second sensing lines TL-2 mayinclude one or more multi-layered areas DLA1, DLA2, and DLA3, and asingle-layer area SLA. Each of the first and second sensing lines TL-1and TL-2 may include a plurality of trace lines that are disposed at(e.g., in or on) different layers in the multi-layered areas DLA1, DLA2,and DLA3, and may include one trace line in the single-layer area SLA.This will be described in more detail below.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , the multi-layered areasDLA1, DLA2, and DLA3 may include a first multi-layered area DLA1, asecond multi-layered area DLA2, and a third multi-layered area DLA3,which are included at (e.g., in or on) different areas from each otherof the display panel DP. As an example, the first multi-layered areaDLA1 and the second multi-layered area DLA2 may overlap with the firstnon-bending area NBA1 of the display panel DP. The third multi-layeredarea DLA3 may overlap with the second non-bending area NBA2.

In the first multi-layered area DLA1, each of the first and secondsensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 connected to the second sensing electrodesTE2 may extend in a direction toward the bending area BA. In the secondmulti-layered area DLA2, each of the first and second sensing lines TL-1and TL-2 may be connected to one end of the bridge line TL-B shown inFIG. 3A via a corresponding one of the first input contact holes CNT-I1.

In the third multi-layered area DLA3, one end of each of the first andsecond sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 may be connected to the other end ofthe bridge line TL-B shown in FIG. 3 via a corresponding one of thesecond input contact holes CNT-I2. In the third multi-layered area DLA3,the other end of each of the first and second sensing lines TL-1 andTL-2 may be connected to the input pad part ISL-PD (e.g., may beconnected to a corresponding input pad of the input pad part ISL-PD).

According to an embodiment, the single-layer area SLA may be defined tooverlap with the first non-bending area NBA1 of the display panel DP.The single-layer area SLA may be disposed between the firstmulti-layered area DLA1 and the second multi-layered area DLA2. Thesingle-layer area SLA may be disposed near (e.g., adjacent to) one endof the first non-bending area NBA1 that is adjacent to the bending areaBA.

In the first non-bending area NBA1, the first and second sensing linesTL-1 and TL-2 are intensively placed (e.g., arranged or located) at(e.g., in or on) a portion of the peripheral area NAA-I where a width inthe second direction DR2 decreases at a lower portion of the active areaAA-I (e.g., at left/right lower ends of the input sensor ISL), and thus,a space to arrange the first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 maybe insufficient.

According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , a width (e.g.,in the first direction DR1) of the single-layer area SLA may be smallerthan a width (e.g., in the second direction DR2) of the multi-layeredareas DLA1, DLA2, and DLA3 in a direction crossing the direction inwhich the first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 extend at thesingle-layer area SLA and the multi-layered areas DLA1, DLA2, and DLA3.When the width of the first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2decreases, the space in which the sensing lines are arranged may besecured, and a width of the bezel area BZA of the display panel DP(e.g., refer to FIG. 1A) may be decreased. This will be described inmore detail below.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 , each of the firstsensing lines TL-1 and the second sensing lines TL-2 may extend in thefirst direction DR1 at (e.g., in or on) the multi-layered areas DLA1,DLA2, and DLA3, and may extend in the second direction DR2 at (e.g., inor on) the single-layer area SLA, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto or thereby. According to an embodiment, each of thefirst sensing lines TL-1 and the second sensing lines TL-2 may extend inan oblique direction at (e.g., in or on) the single-layer area SLA, andmay extend to fit a shape of the portions where the space for thearrangement of the first sensing lines TL-1 and the second sensing linesTL-2 is insufficient.

FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the first and second multi-layeredareas DLA1 and DLA2 are included in the area overlapping with the firstnon-bending area NBA1 of the display panel DP as a representativeexample, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto or thereby.According to an embodiment, the second multi-layered area DLA2 may beomitted from the area overlapping with the first non-bending area NBA1,and thus, the sensing lines may include one multi-layered area in thearea overlapping with the first non-bending area NBA1.

In addition, FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the first, second, andthird sensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 are connected to separate linesdisposed on the insulating layer of the display panel DP at (e.g., in oron) the bending area BA as a representative example, but the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto or thereby. The first, second, andthird sensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3 may be disposed at (e.g., in oron) the insulating layer of the display panel DP in the area overlappingwith the second non-bending area NBA2.

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing portions of the sensing lines of theinput sensor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 6A. FIG.6C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 6A.FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′ of FIG.6A. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 6A. FIGS. 6B and 6C show cross-sections viewed in a direction inwhich the first sensing lines TL-1 are arranged, and FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow cross-sections viewed in a direction in which the first sensinglines TL-1 extend.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged plan view showing portions of four first sensinglines that are connected to corresponding second sensing electrodes TE2from among the first sensing lines TL-1 shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 6A shows portions of first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1,TL2, TL3, and TL4 that are disposed to overlap with the firstnon-bending area NBA1 of the display panel DP at (e.g., in or on) thesingle-layer area SLA, a portion of the first multi-layered area DLA1,and a portion of the second multi-layered area DLA2.

According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, each ofthe first, second, and third sensing lines TL-1, TL-2, and TL-3described above with reference to FIG. 5 may include a first trace lineCDL1 and a second trace line CDL2. The first trace line CDL1 may beincluded in the first sensing conductive layer TML1 described above withreference to FIG. 4 , and the second trace line CDL2 may be included inthe second sensing conductive layer TML2 described above with referenceto FIG. 4 .

Each of the first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, andTL4 may include the trace lines that are disposed at (e.g., in or on)different layers from each other in the first and second multi-layeredareas DLA1 and DLA2. As an example, the first line TL1 may include afirst-first trace line CDL1-1 disposed on the first sensing insulatinglayer TIL1, and a second-first trace line CDL2-1 connected to andoverlapping with the first-first trace line CDL1-1 in the firstmulti-layered area DLA1. The first line TL1 may include a first-first′trace line CDL1-1′ disposed on the first sensing insulating layer TIL1,and a second-first′ trace line CDL2-1′ connected to and overlapping withthe first-first′ trace line CDL1-1′ in the second multi-layered areaDLA2.

The second line TL2 may include a first-second trace line CDL1-2disposed on the first sensing insulating layer TIL1, and a second-secondtrace line CDL2-2 connected to and overlapping with the first-secondtrace line CDL1-2 in the first multi-layered area DLA1. The second lineTL2 may include a first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ disposed on the firstsensing insulating layer TIL1, and a second-second′ trace line CDL2-2′connected to and overlapping with the first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′in the second multi-layered area DLA2.

The first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 mayinclude one of the first trace line CDL1 or the second trace line CDL2in the single-layer area SLA. According to an embodiment, thesingle-layer area SLA may include a first area A1 and a second area A2.According to an embodiment, the first area A1 may be connected to thefirst multi-layered area DLA1 of the first and second sensing lines TL-1and TL-2, and the second area A2 may be connected to the secondmulti-layered area DLA2 of the first and second sensing lines TL-1 andTL-2.

As an example, in the first area A1, the first line TL1 may include thefirst-first trace line CDL1-1, the second line TL2 may include thesecond-second trace line CDL2-2, the third line TL3 may include afirst-third trace line CDL1-3, and the fourth line TL4 may include asecond-fourth trace line CDL2-4. In other words, the first line TL1 andthe third line TL3 may include the first trace line CDL1 in the firstarea A1, and the second line TL2 and the fourth line TL4 may include thesecond trace line CDL2 in the first area A1.

In the second area A2, the first line TL1 may include the second-first′trace line CDL2-1′, the second line TL2 may include the first-second′trace line CDL1-2′, the third line TL3 may include a second-third′ traceline CDL2-3′, and the fourth line TL4 may include a first-fourth′ traceline CDL1-4′. In other words, unlike the first area A1, the first lineTL1 and the third line TL3 may include the second trace line CDL2 in thesecond area A2, and the second line TL2 and the fourth line TL4 mayinclude the first trace line CDL1 in the second area A2.

According to an embodiment, the first and second sensing lines TL-1 andTL-2 may include a connection area CNA disposed between the first areaA1 and the second area A2. In the connection area CNA, the first traceline CDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 may be disposed to overlap witheach other when viewed in a plane (e.g., in a plan view). A single-layercontact hole CNT-S may be defined through the second sensing insulatinglayer TIL2 in the connection area CNA, and thus, the first trace lineCDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 may be electrically connected toeach other.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the first line TL1 viewed inthe direction in which the first line TL1 extends. Hereinafter, theareas in which the first and second trace lines CDL1 and CDL2 includedin the first line TL1 are arranged, and a connection relationshipbetween the first and second trace lines CDL1 and CDL2 included in thefirst line TL1 will be described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 6B, the first line TL1 may include the first-firsttrace line CDL1-1 and the second-first trace line CDL2-1, which aredisposed to overlap with each other in the first multi-layered areaDLA1. The second-first trace line CDL2-1 may be disconnected at aboundary between the first multi-layered area DLA1 and the first areaA1, but the first-first trace line CDL1-1 may extend through the firstarea A1 to the connection area CNA, and may be disconnected at aboundary between the connection area CNA and the second area A2. Inother words, only the first-first trace line CDL1-1 may be disposed inthe first area A1 for the first line TL1.

The first line TL1 may include the first-first′ trace line CDL1-1′ andthe second-first′ trace line CDL2-1′, which are disposed to overlap witheach other in the second multi-layered area DLA2. The first-first′ traceline CDL1-1′ may be disconnected at a boundary between the secondmulti-layered area DLA2 and the second area A2, but the second-first′trace line CDL2-1′ may extend through the second area A2 to theconnection area CNA, and may be disconnected at a boundary between theconnection area CNA and the first area A1. In other words, only thesecond-first′ trace line CDL2-1′ may be disposed in the second area A2for the first line TL1.

The second-first′ trace line CDL2-1′ and the first-first trace lineCDL1-1 may be electrically connected to each other via the single-layercontact hole CNT-S defined (e.g., penetrating) through the secondsensing insulating layer TIL2 in the connection area CNA. Thefirst-first′ trace line CDL1-1′ and the second-first′ trace line CDL2-1′may be electrically connected to each other via a multi-layered contacthole CNT-D defined (e.g., penetrating) through the second sensinginsulating layer TIL2 in the second multi-layered area DLA2.

Accordingly, in the case of the first line TL1 in the single-layer areaSLA, a signal may be transmitted via the first trace line CDL1 in thefirst area A1, and the signal may be transmitted via the second traceline CDL2 in the second area A2, the second trace line CDL2 beingconnected to the first trace line CDL1 of the first area A1.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view showing the second line TL2 viewed inthe direction in which the second line TL2 extends. Hereinafter, theareas in which the first and second trace lines CDL1 and CDL2 includedin the second line TL2 are arranged, and a connection relationshipbetween the first and second trace lines CDL1 and CDL2 included in thesecond line TL2 will be described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the second line TL2 may include the first-secondtrace line CDL1-2 and the second-second trace line CDL2-2, which aredisposed to overlap with each other in the first multi-layered areaDLA1. The first-second trace line CDL1-2 may be disconnected at aboundary between the first multi-layered area DLA1 and the first areaA1, but the second-second trace line CDL2-2 may extend through the firstarea A1 to the connection area CNA, and may be disconnected at aboundary between the connection area CNA and the second area A2. Inother words, only the second-second trace line CDL2-2 may be disposed inthe first area A1 for the second line TL2.

The second line TL2 may include the first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ andthe second-second′ trace line CDL2-2′, which are disposed to overlapwith each other in the second multi-layered area DLA2. Thesecond-second′ trace line CDL2-2′ may be disconnected at a boundarybetween the second multi-layered area DLA2 and the second area A2, butthe first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ may extend through the second areaA2 to the connection area CNA, and may be disconnected at a boundarybetween the connection area CNA and the first area A1. In other words,only the first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ may be disposed in the secondarea A2 for the second line TL2.

The first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ and the second-second trace lineCDL2-2 may be electrically connected to each other via the single-layercontact hole CNT-S penetrating (e.g., defined) through the secondsensing insulating layer TIL2 in the connection area CNA. Thefirst-second′ trace line CDL1-2′ and the second-second′ trace lineCDL2-2′ may be electrically connected to each other via themulti-layered contact hole CNT-D penetrating (e.g., defined) through thesecond sensing insulating layer TIL2 in the second multi-layered areaDLA2.

Accordingly, in the case of the second line TL2 in the single-layer areaSLA, a signal may be transmitted via the second trace line CDL2 in thefirst area A1, and the signal may be transmitted via the first traceline CDL1 in the second area A2, the first trace line CDL1 beingconnected to the second trace line CDL2 of the first area A1.

Accordingly, from among the first trace line CDL1 and the second traceline CDL2, the trace line for transmitting a signal along the first lineTL1 in each of the first area A1 and the second area A2, and the traceline for transmitting a signal along the second line TL2 in each of thefirst area A1 and the second area A2 may be opposite to each other.

The description of the trace lines CDL1-1, CDL1-1′, CDL2-1, and CDL2-1′of the first line TL1 with reference to FIG. 6B may be applied in thesame or substantially the same manner to the trace lines CDL1-3,CDL1-3′, CDL2-3, and CDL2-3′ of the third line TL3. In addition, thedescription of the trace lines CDL1-2, CDL1-2′, CDL2-2, and CDL2-2′ ofthe second line TL2 with reference to FIG. 6C may be applied in the sameor substantially the same manner to the trace lines CDL1-4, CDL1-4′,CDL3-4, and CDL3-4′ of the fourth line TL4. Accordingly, redundantdescription may not be repeated.

Accordingly, the trace line for transmitting a signal in the first areaA1 and the trace line for transmitting a signal in the second area A2may be opposite to each other not only in the first and second lines TL1and TL2 as described above, but also in any two lines that are adjacentto each other from among the first and second sensing lines TL-1 andTL-2.

FIGS. 6B and 6C show a shape of the single-layer contact hole CNT-S anda shape of the multi-layered contact hole CNT-D as a representativeexample, and thus, the shape of the single-layer contact hole CNT-S andthe shape of the multi-layered contact hole CNT-D are not particularlylimited, as long as the first trace line CDL1 and the second trace lineCDL2 included in one line from among the first, second, third, andfourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 may be electrically connected toeach other. In addition, the shape of the single-layer contact holeCNT-S and the shape of the multi-layered contact hole CNT-D may bedifferent from each other.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, each of the first trace line CDL1 and thesecond trace line CDL2 overlapping with the connection area CNA fromamong the first trace line CDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 mayinclude a connection pattern. The connection pattern may have aparallelogram shape. A pair of connection patterns overlapping with eachother may be spaced apart from each other in an oblique direction alongan extension direction of the connection area CNA. Accordingly, aseparation distance between different lines may be reduced, and a widthof the single-layer area SLA may be reduced.

However, the shape of the connection area CNA in a plane (e.g., in aplan view) is not limited thereto or thereby, and the shape of the firsttrace line CDL1 and the shape of the second trace line CDL2 overlappingwith the first trace line CDL1 is not particularly limited, as long asthe single-layer contact hole CNT-S for connecting the first trace lineCDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 may be formed.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the connection area CNAmay extend obliquely with respect to the direction in which the first orsecond trace line CDL1 or CDL2 extends in the single-layer area SLA. Ina case where the connection area CNA is disposed obliquely, portions ofthe connection areas that are adjacent to each other from among theconnection areas CNA may overlap with each other in the second directionDR2. Accordingly, the connection area CNA may have a smaller width whencompared with a case where the connection area CNA extends in adirection that is perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to theextension direction of the first trace line CDL1 or the second traceline CDL2 in the single-layer area SLA.

According to an embodiment, each of the first, second, third, and fourthlines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 may include a first extension portion EP1,a second extension portion EP2, and an inclination portion SP in thefirst area A1. The first extension portion EP1 may extend in the seconddirection DR2, and one end of the first extension portion EP1 may beconnected to the first multi-layered area DLA1. The second extensionportion EP2 may extend in the second direction DR2, and one end of thesecond extension portion EP2 may be connected to the connection areaCNA. The inclination portion SP may be disposed between the firstextension portion EP1 and the second extension portion EP2, and mayextend in an oblique direction with respect to the second direction DR2.The oblique direction may be a direction that crosses the extensiondirection of the connection area CNA. As the portions of the first,second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 extend along theoblique direction in the first area A1, the second-second trace lineCDL2-2 of the second line TL2 included in the first extension portionEP1 and the second-first′ trace line CDL2-1′ of the first line TL1included in the second area A2 may be aligned with each other in thesecond direction DR2.

According to an embodiment, a line transition area may be defined as anarea between one end of the connection area CNA connected to the secondarea A2 of the first line TL1 and one end of the inclination portion SPadjacent to the first extension portion EP1 of the first line TL1. Theinclination portion SP may be defined in the vicinity of the connectionarea CNA, and a width W-CN in the second direction DR2 of the linetransition area may be smaller than a length of the first area A1 and alength of the second area A2 of each of the first, second, third, andfourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4. As an example, in a case where eachof a length L1 of the first area A1 and a length L2 of the second areaA2 (e.g., refer to FIG. 6B) is about 4.2 millimeters, the width W-CN ofthe line transition area may be about 0.7 millimeters. Accordingly, thewidth in the first direction DR1, which increases due to the connectionarea CNA, may be reduced by the inclination portion SP adjacent to theconnection area CNA, and thus, an increase in the width that may becaused by the connection area CNA may be reduced.

FIG. 6A shows a structure in which each of the single-layer contactholes CNT-S included in the first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1,TL2, TL3, and TL4, and the multi-layered contact holes CNT-D included inthe first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 arearranged in the oblique direction with respect to the second directionDR2 as a representative example. However, the arrangement of thesingle-layer contact holes CNT-S and the multi-layered contact holesCNT-D are not particularly limited thereto or thereby.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the first, second, third, andfourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 in the first area A1 when viewed inthe second direction DR2. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing thefirst, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 in thesecond area A2 when viewed in the second direction DR2.

Referring to FIG. 7A, when viewed in the cross-section, the first tracelines CDL1-1 and CDL1-3 and the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 maybe alternately arranged with each other in the first area A1.

According to an embodiment, each of the first trace lines CDL1-1 andCDL1-3 and each of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 disposed inthe first area A1 may have a trapezoidal shape in the cross-section.

As an example, each of the first trace lines CDL1-1 and CDL1-3 disposedin the first area A1 may include a first lower surface LS1 that makescontact with the first sensing insulating layer TIL1, and a first uppersurface US1 opposite the first lower surface LS1. The first lowersurface LS1 may have a width greater than a width of the first uppersurface US1, and the first upper surface US1 may entirely overlap withthe first lower surface LS1.

Each of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 disposed in the firstarea A1 may include a second lower surface LS2 that makes contact withthe second sensing insulating layer TIL2, and a second upper surface US2opposite to the second lower surface LS2. The second lower surface LS2may have a width greater than a width of the second upper surface US2,and the second upper surface US2 may entirely overlap with the secondlower surface LS2.

When viewed in the cross-section, the width of the first lower surfaceLS1 of the first trace lines CDL1-1 and CDL1-3 disposed in the firstarea A1 is referred to as a first width W1, and the width of the secondlower surface LS2 of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 disposedin the first area A1 is defined as a second width W2. According to anembodiment, the first width W1 may be the same or substantially the sameas the second width W2 in the first area A1.

A thickness of the first trace lines CDL1-1 and CDL1-3 disposed in thefirst area A1 in a direction toward the first upper surface US1 from thefirst lower surface LS1 is referred to as a first thickness T1, and athickness of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 disposed in thefirst area A1 in a direction toward the second upper surface US2 fromthe second lower surface LS2 is referred to as a second thickness T2.According to an embodiment, the first thickness T1 may be the same orsubstantially the same as the second thickness T2 in the first area A1.

According to an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, an end of the firstlower surface LS1 of the first-first trace line CDL1-1 of the first lineTL1 in the first area A1 may be aligned with an end of the second lowersurface LS2 of the second-second trace line CDL2-2 of the second lineTL2 in the direction toward the first upper surface US1 from the firstlower surface LS1 (e.g., on the plane, or in a plan view).

Each of the first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, andTL4 may include both the first and second trace lines CDL1 and CDL2overlapping with each other in the multi-layered areas DLA1, DLA2, andDLA3 (e.g., refer to FIGS. 5 and 6A), and thus, the first, second,third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 may be arranged to bespaced apart from each other by a suitable separation distance (e.g., apredetermined separation distance) to reduce an interferencetherebetween.

Further, each of the first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2,TL3, and TL4 may include only one trace line from among the first traceline CDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 in the first area A1, and thefirst trace line CDL1 and the second trace line CDL2 may be alternatelyarranged with each other. Accordingly, the first, second, third, andfourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 may be arranged with no separationdistance therebetween on the plane (e.g., in a plan view). Therefore,the same number of first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 may bearranged in a relatively narrower width, and the first and secondsensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 may be arranged in a narrow space, and thus,the width of the bezel area of the display device DD may be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 7B, when viewed in the cross-section, the first tracelines CDL1-2′ and CDL1-4′ may be alternately arranged with the secondtrace lines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ in the second area A2.

In the cross-section, a shape of the first trace lines CDL1-2′ andCDL1-4′ disposed in the second area A2 and a shape of the second tracelines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ disposed in the second area A2 may be the sameor substantially the same as the shape of the first trace lines CDL1-1and CDL1-3 disposed in the first area A1 and the shape of the secondtrace lines CDL2-2 and CDL2-4 disposed in the first area A1. In otherwords, each of the first trace lines CDL1-2′ and CDL1-4′ and each of thesecond trace lines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ may have a trapezoidal shape. Inthis case, the first lower surface LS1 and the second lower surface LS2may have a width greater than that of the first upper surface US1 andthe second upper surface US2, respectively, and the first upper surfaceUS1 and the second upper surface US2 may entirely overlap with the firstlower surface LS1 and the second lower surface LS2, respectively.

In addition, a first width W1 of each of the first trace lines CDL1-2′and CDL1-4′ disposed in the second area A2 may be the same orsubstantially the same as the first width W1 of the first trace linesCDL1-1 and CDL1-3 disposed in the first area A1, and a second width W2of each of the second trace lines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ disposed in thesecond area A2 may be the same or substantially the same as the secondwidth W2 of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CLD2-4 in the first areaA1.

A first thickness T1 of each of the first trace lines CDL1-2′ andCDL1-4′ disposed in the second area A2 may be the same or substantiallythe same as the first thickness T1 of the first trace lines CDL1-1 andCDL1-3 disposed in the first area A1, and a second thickness T2 of eachof the second trace lines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ disposed in the secondarea A2 may be the same or substantially the same as the secondthickness T2 of the second trace lines CDL2-2 and CLD2-4 in the firstarea A1.

In addition, when viewed in the cross-section, an end of the first lowersurface LS1 of the first trace lines CDL1-2′ and CDL1-4′ disposed in thesecond area A2 may be aligned with an end of the second lower surfaceLS2 of the second trace lines CDL2-1′ and CDL2-3′ disposed in the secondarea A2 in the third direction DR3.

According to the present embodiment, the first trace line CDL1 and thesecond trace line CDL2 may be disposed on different layers from eachother, and etching processes for the first trace line CDL1 and thesecond trace line CDL2 may be performed separately from each other.Accordingly, an error with regards to the width between the first tracelines that are adjacent to each other from among the first trace linesCDL1, which may occur after the etching process, and an error withregards to the width between the second trace lines that are adjacent toeach other from among the second trace lines CDL2, which may occur afterthe etching process, may be different from each other. In other words,the error of a critical dimension (CD) value, which may refer to thewidth between the lines that are adjacent to each other, in the firsttrace line CDL1 may be different from that in the second trace lineCDL2. Further, an error with regards to the thickness of the first traceline CDL1, which may occur after the etching process, may be differentfrom an error with regards to the thickness of the second trace lineCDL2, which may occur after the etching process.

Accordingly, in a case where the first and second sensing lines TL-1 andTL-2 include only one trace line from among the first trace line CDL1and the second trace line CDL2 in the single-layer area SLA, each of theerror occurring in the first trace line CDL1 and the error occurring inthe second trace line CDL2 may correspond to specific lines. Therefore,a variation in a mutual capacitance value due to the etching error maycorrespond to the specific lines, and thus, a difference in the mutualcapacitance value may be caused between the lines.

On the other hand, according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the single-layer area SLA may be applied to the first areaA1 and the second area A2, and the trace line of the sensing lines inthe first area A1 may be opposite to the trace line of the sensing linesin the second area A2. Accordingly, the variation in the mutualcapacitance value due to the error may be prevented or substantiallyprevented from being concentrated on the specific lines. Therefore, asboth of the first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 are affected bythe error occurring in the first trace line CDL1 and the error occurringin the second trace line CDL2, the difference in the mutual capacitancevalue between the first and second sensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 may bereduced. Accordingly, it may be possible to prevent or substantiallyprevent the touch sensing accuracy from being varied depending on theareas, and a sensing malfunction may be reduced. Thus, the sensingreliability of the display device DD (e.g., refer to FIG. 1A) may beimproved.

In more detail, in a case where the length L1 of the first area A1 andthe length L2 of the second area A2 of each of the first and secondsensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 are the same or substantially the same aseach other, the difference in the mutual capacitance value, which may becaused by the difference between the error occurring in the first traceline CDL1 and the error occurring in the second trace line CDL2, may bereduced.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a portion of sensing lines according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section ofthe sensing lines when viewed in a direction (e.g., the second directionDR2) in which the first, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3,and TL4 (e.g., refer to FIG. 5 ) extend in a first area A1-A. In FIG. 8, the same/similar reference symbols are used to denote the same/similarelements described above with reference to FIG. 7A, and thus, redundantdescription thereof may be simplified or may not be repeated.

According to an embodiment, an end of a first lower surface LS1 of afirst-first trace line CDL1-1A included in the first line TL1 in thefirst area A1-A may be spaced apart by a suitable separation distance(e.g., a predetermined separation) distance D from an end of a secondlower surface LS2 of a second-second trace line CDL2-2A included in thesecond line TL2 in a direction (e.g., the first direction DR1) that isperpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to a direction (e.g.,the second direction DR2) in which the first and second lines TL1 andTL2 extend. In other words, when viewed in a plane (e.g., in a planview), the first-first trace line CDL1-1A and the second-second traceline CDL2-2A may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by theseparation distance D.

The separation distance D may be caused by etching errors of each of thefirst trace lines CDL1-1A and CDL1-3A and the second trace lines CDL2-2Aand CDL2-4A, even though ends of the first trace lines CDL1-1A andCDL1-3A disposed in the first area A1-A and ends of second trace linesCDL2-2A and CDL2-4A disposed in the first area A1-A are set to bealigned with each other in third direction DR3 during an etchingprocess. In addition, the separation distance D may be caused by settingthe separation distance D during the etching process, and in this case,the first trace lines CDL1-1A and CDL1-3A may be prevented orsubstantially prevented from overlapping with the second trace linesCDL2-2A and CDL2-4A after the etching process.

According to an embodiment, the separation distance D in the firstdirection DR1 may be equal to or smaller than about 2 micrometers. Whenthe separation distance D in the first direction DR1 is greater thanabout 2 micrometers, it may be difficult to arrange the first and secondsensing lines TL-1 and TL-2 in the area having a narrow width.

The separation distance D may be applied to the first and second tracelines in the second area A2 (e.g., refer to FIG. 6A).

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a first area A1-Bof sensing lines according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a second areaA2-B of sensing lines according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 9A shows a cross-section of the sensing lines whenviewed in a direction (e.g., the second direction DR2) in which thefirst, second, third, and fourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 (e.g.,refer to FIG. 5 ) extend in the first area A1-B. FIG. 9B shows across-section of the sensing lines when viewed in a direction (e.g., thesecond direction DR2) in which the first, second, third, and fourthlines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 (e.g., refer to FIG. 5 ) extend in thesecond area A2-B. In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the same/similar reference symbolsare used to denote the same/similar elements described above withreference to FIGS. 5 to 7A, and thus, redundant description thereof maybe simplified or may not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 9A, a first width W1′ of first trace lines CDL1-1B andCDL1-3B may have a value different from a value of a second width W2′ ofsecond trace lines CDL2-2B and CDL2-4B in the first area A1-B. Inaddition, a first thickness T1′ of the first trace lines CDL1-1B andCDL1-3B may have a value different from a value of a second thicknessT2′ of the second trace lines CDL2-2B and CDL2-4B.

As an example, the first width W1′ may be greater than the second widthW2′ in the first area A1-B, and the first thickness T1′ may be smallerthan the second thickness T2′ in the first area A1-B. In this case, aratio of the first width W1′ to the second width W2′ and a ratio of thefirst thickness T1′ to the second thickness T2′ may have an inverserelationship with each other. Accordingly, the first, second, third, andfourth lines TL1, TL2, TL3, and TL4 may have the same or substantiallythe same resistance value as each other, and deterioration in thesensing accuracy of the input sensor ISL (e.g., refer to FIG. 5 ), whichmay be caused by a difference in resistance between the sensing lines,may be prevented or reduced.

According to an embodiment, an end of a first lower surface LS1 of thefirst trace line CDL1-1B of the first line TL1 may be aligned with anend of a second lower surface LS2 of the second trace line CDL2-2B ofthe second line TL2 in a direction toward a first upper surface US1 fromthe first lower surface LS1 (e.g., the third direction DR3).Accordingly, in the first area A1-B, a width between the first tracelines that are adjacent to each other from among the first trace linesmay be the same or substantially the same as the second width W2′, and awidth between the second trace lines that are adjacent to each otherfrom among the second trace lines may be the same or substantially thesame as the first width W1′.

Referring to FIG. 9B, in the second area A2-B, first trace linesCDL1-2′B and CDL1-4′B may have a first width W1′, and second trace linesCDL2-1′B and CDL2-3′B may have a second width W2′ smaller than the firstwidth W1′. In addition, the first trace lines CDL1-2′B and CDL1-4′B mayhave a first thickness T1′, and the second trace lines CDL2-1′B andCDL2-3′B may have a second thickness T2′ greater than the firstthickness T1′.

In addition, similar to the first area A1-B, an end of a first lowersurface LS1′ of a first-second′ trace line CDL1-2′B of the first lineTL1 may be aligned with an end of a second lower surface LS2′ of asecond-first′ trace line CDL2-1′B of the second line TL2 in the thirddirection DR3 in the second area A2-B.

According to an embodiment, the first trace lines CDL1-1B and CDL1-3Bdisposed in the first area A1-B and the first trace lines CDL1-2′B andCDL1-4′B disposed in the second area A2-B may have the same orsubstantially the same width W1′, and the same or substantially the samethickness T1′. The second trace lines CDL2-2B and CDL2-4B disposed inthe first area A1-B and the second trace lines CDL2-1′B and CDL2-3′Bdisposed in the second area A2-B may have the same or substantially thesame width W2′, and the same or substantially the same thickness T2′.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an input sensor ISL-1 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The input sensor ISL-1 shown inFIG. 10 may be different from the input sensor ISL described above withreference to FIG. 5 . In FIG. 10 , the same/similar reference symbolsare used to denote the same/similar elements described above withreference to FIGS. 1A to 9 , and thus, redundant description thereof maybe simplified or may not be repeated.

According to an embodiment, a first area A1-1 and a second area A2-1 ofa single-layer area SLA-1 may be disposed in different areas from eachother. As an example, the first area A1-1 may be disposed to overlapwith a first non-bending area NBA1 of a display panel DP (e.g., refer toFIG. 3A), and the second area A2-1 may be disposed to overlap with asecond non-bending area NBA2 of the display panel DP. In other words,the first area A1-1 and the second area A2-1 may be spaced apart fromeach other with a bending area BA interposed therebetween.

According to an embodiment, one end of first and second sensing linesTL-1′ and TL-2′ may be connected to a first multi-layered area DLA1 at(e.g., in or on) the first area A1-1, and the other end of the first andsecond sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ may be connected to a secondmulti-layered area DLA2-1 at (e.g., in or on) the first area A1-1.

According to an embodiment, the first and second sensing lines TL-1′ andTL-2′ may be connected to third multi-layered areas DLA3-1A and DLA3-1Bin the second area A2-1. The third multi-layered areas DLA3-1A andDLA3-1B may include a third-first multi-layered area DLA3-1A in whichthe first and second sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ are extended from asecond input contact hole CNT-I2, and a third-second multi-layered areaDLA3-1B in which the first and second sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ areconnected to input pads of an input pad part ISL-PD. In the second areaA2-1, one end of the first and second sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ maybe connected to the third-first multi-layered area DLA3-1A, and theother end of the first and second sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ may beconnected to the third-second multi-layered area DLA3-1B.

According to an embodiment, a length of the first and second sensinglines TL-1′ and TL-2′ in the first area A1-A may be the same orsubstantially the same as a length of the first and second sensing linesTL-1′ and TL-2′ in the second area A2-A. Accordingly, a variation in amutual capacitance value, which may be caused by etching errors betweenthe first trace line CDL1 and the second trace line CDL2, may bereduced.

FIG. 10 shows a structure in which the first and second sensing linesTL-1′ and TL-2′ extend in the second direction DR2, and are arrangedalong the first direction DR1 in the first area A1-1 and the second areaA2-1 as a representative example, but the present disclosure is notlimited thereto or thereby. Each of the first and second sensing linesTL-1′ and TL-2′ may extend in an oblique direction in the single-layerarea SLA-1, and may extend to fit a shape of a portion where the spacefor the arrangement of the first and second sensing lines TL-1′ andTL-2′ is insufficient.

In addition, FIG. 10 shows a structure in which the third multi-layeredareas DLA3-A1 and DLA3-A2 are defined in an area overlapping with thesecond non-bending area NBA2 of the display panel DP as a representativeexample, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto or thereby.The first and second sensing lines TL-1′ and TL-2′ may include only thesecond area A2-1 in the area overlapping with the second non-bendingarea NBA2, or may include one third multi-layered area and the secondarea A2-1.

Although some embodiments have been described, those skilled in the artwill readily appreciate that various modifications are possible in theembodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. It will be understood that descriptions of features oraspects within each embodiment should typically be considered asavailable for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments,unless otherwise described. Thus, as would be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, features, characteristics, and/or elementsdescribed in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singlyor in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elementsdescribed in connection with other embodiments unless otherwisespecifically indicated. Therefore, it is to be understood that theforegoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is not tobe construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein,and that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well asother example embodiments, are intended to be included within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims,and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a display panelcomprising a pixel; and an input sensor on the display panel, the inputsensor comprising: sensing electrodes; and sensing lines comprising: amulti-layered area comprising a first trace line and a second traceline, the first and second trace lines being connected to the sensingelectrodes and located at different layers from each other; asingle-layer area comprising a first area and a second area; a firstline comprising the first trace line in the first area, and the secondtrace line connected to the first trace line in the second area; and asecond line adjacent to the first line, the second line comprising thesecond trace line in the first area, and the first trace line connectedto the second trace line in the second area.
 2. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein a length of the first line in the first area is equalto a length of the first line in the second area, and a length of thesecond line in the first area is equal to a length of the second line inthe second area.
 3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the displaypanel comprises: a first non-bending area comprising the pixel; abending area; and a second non-bending area, wherein the firstnon-bending area, the bending area, and the second non-bending area arearranged along a first direction, and the bending area is configured tobe bent relative to an imaginary axis extending in a second directioncrossing the first direction.
 4. The display device of claim 3, whereinthe single-layer area overlaps with the first non-bending area.
 5. Thedisplay device of claim 4, wherein the sensing lines further comprise aconnection area connecting the first area and the second area to eachother, and the first trace line overlaps with the second trace line inthe connection area.
 6. The display device of claim 5, wherein portionsof the first trace line and the second trace line that overlap with eachother in the connection area each have a parallelogram shape.
 7. Thedisplay device of claim 5, wherein at the connection area, the firsttrace line of the first line in the first area is connected to thesecond trace line of the first line in the second area.
 8. The displaydevice of claim 7, wherein at the connection area, the second trace lineof the second line in the first area is connected to the first traceline of the second line in the second area.
 9. The display device ofclaim 5, wherein the connection area extends in an oblique directionwith respect to a direction in which the first and second lines extendin the second area.
 10. The display device of claim 9, wherein each ofthe first and second trace lines comprises: a first extension portionextending in one direction, and connected to the multi-layered area inthe first area; a second extension portion extending in the onedirection, and connected to the connection area in the first area; andan inclination portion extending in an oblique direction with respect tothe one direction, and located between the first extension portion andthe second extension portion, wherein the first extension portion of thesecond line is aligned with the second area of the first line in the onedirection.
 11. The display device of claim 3, wherein: sensing linesoverlapping with the first area from among the sensing lines overlapwith the first non-bending area of the display panel, and sensing linesoverlapping with the second area from among the sensing lines are spacedfrom the first area with the bending area interposed therebetween, andoverlap with the second non-bending area.
 12. The display device ofclaim 11, wherein the display panel comprises: a bridge line located inthe bending area; a first input contact hole exposing one end of thebridge line adjacent to the first non-bending area; and a second inputcontact hole exposing another end of the bridge line adjacent to thesecond non-bending area, and wherein the sensing lines overlapping withthe first area are connected to the one end of the bridge line via thefirst input contact hole, and the sensing lines overlapping with thesecond area are connected to the other end of the bridge line via thesecond input contact hole.
 13. The display device of claim 3, whereinthe first area overlaps with the first non-bending area, and at least aportion of the first area does not overlap with the bending area in thefirst direction.
 14. The display device of claim 3, wherein themulti-layered area comprises a plurality of multi-layered areas, and thesingle-layer area is located between the plurality of multi-layeredareas.
 15. The display device of claim 1, wherein the input sensorcomprises: a first sensing insulating layer on the display panel; afirst sensing conductive layer on the first sensing insulating layer,and comprising the first trace line; a second sensing insulating layeron the first sensing insulating layer to cover the first sensingconductive layer; and a second sensing conductive layer on the secondsensing insulating layer, and comprising the second trace line.
 16. Thedisplay device of claim 15, wherein each of the first trace line and thesecond trace line has a trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view. 17.The display device of claim 1, wherein the first trace line of the firstline does not overlap with the second trace line of the second line inthe first area, and the second trace line of the first line does notoverlap with the first trace line of the second line in the second area.18. The display device of claim 17, wherein a distance between the firsttrace line of the first line and the second trace line of the secondline in the single-layer area is less than or equal to about 2micrometers in a cross-sectional view.
 19. The display device of claim17, wherein an end of the first trace line of the first line is alignedwith an end of the second trace line of the second line in thesingle-layer area in a plan view.
 20. The display device of claim 17,wherein the first trace line has a width greater than a width of thesecond trace line in a cross-sectional view, and the first trace linehas a thickness smaller than a thickness of the second trace line in thecross-sectional view.